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ROYAL ACCESSION
Time for pomp and ceremony
The Nation, 9th June 2006

An insight into the tradition and ritual that confirmed His Majesty the King

On this day 60 years ago, all the ancient royal and religious ceremonies associated with the grandiose celebrations of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej's accession as the Ninth King of the Chakri Throne took place.

The royal and religious ceremonies were executed precisely in the strict Ayutthaya tradition. King Yodfa, who ascended the throne in 1782 and founded Bangkok as the new capital of Siam, sought the advice from his court officials and learned men over how they should arrange the royal ceremonies to accompany his accession.

Bangkok might serve as the new capital, but he would like all the ceremonies to follow the Ayutthaya tradition so its image and its spirit would reflect the grandeur that was Ayutthaya.

The royal ceremonies associated with the Chakri King's accession to the throne might be modified or adjusted to suit the situation at the time, but overall, there are five steps to follow: Preparation of the Royal Ceremony, Primary Royal Ceremony, Royal Accession Ceremony, End of the Ceremony, and Tour of the Capital.

According to Naphaporn Laosingwattana's "The Accession to the Throne: The Royal Ceremonies, the Ideas, Meanings, and Symbols of God-Kings" (Bangkok: Museum Press, 2006), the court officials have to make sure that they are in possession all of the necessary items for the Preparation of the Royal Ceremony. Sacred water would be sought specifically for the Royal Accession Ceremony.

In India's Brahmin tradition, the holy water was taken from the Five Great Indian Rivers, but in Thailand the water came from the Bang Pakong, Pasak, Chao Phya, Ratchaburi and Phetchaburi rivers.

The holy water would have been brought over to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha within the Royal Grand Palace and on the ceremony day, the holy water would have been used in a prayer service in the Dusita Bhirom Throne Hall.

During the Preparation of the Royal Ceremony, the court officials would have prepared a Golden Certificate with the Royal Signature and the Birthday Stars of the King. A new Royal Seal would also be carved out.

All the ceremonies to prepare these royal items would be carried out in the hall of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha amid the prayers of Buddhist monks, the trumpet of the Brahmins and music from a traditional Thai orchestra.

Upon completion, the Golden Certificate, the Birthday Stars of the King and the Royal Seal would then be taken to Phaisan Thaksin Throne Hall in preparation for the royal ceremony.

In the Primary Royal Ceremony, the Buddhist monks would light the candle and prepare the holy water. The Brahmins would also follow their ritual, presenting holy water from a Grand Shell and mango leaves, golden leaves and mayom leaves to His Majesty the King.

The King would use the leaves to fan his body as a symbol of directing all dangers away.

King Mongkut added another important ceremony by inviting the gods to convene and bear witness to the accession ceremony. Phra Siam Thevathiraj, or the City God, was introduced into the ceremony. The gods were asked to provide protection and welfare to the King, the Royal Family, and all other Thai people.

The next day the Accession Ceremony would have been held. This was the most important day involving the royal bathing with the holy water, the presentation of the holy water for the accession ceremony and the presentation of the royal regalia.

The King would proceed to the Phaisan Thaksin Throne Hall and light the candles and joss sticks to pray for the Three Gems. He would receive the blessing from the Supreme Patriarch, then he would go to change his clothes, to wear a white robe.

Holy water would be sprinkled down from the ceiling to bathe the King. Then the Supreme Patriarch would present the King with holy water kept in different vessels. The King would use the holy water to anoint his left and right shoulder.

The King would then change into a new costume in preparation for the accession ceremony. He would sit on a high throne under a seven-level canopy.

The King would be presented with the holy water for the accession ceremony. The King would then take the holy water with his hand, sip it and splash his face. He would then make a brief speech.

Then he would turn to face eight directions, so that officials standing at each direction could present him with the holy water.

This ceremony carried symbolic meaning. By presenting the King with the holy water, the officials were transferring the royal power to the King on behalf of all Thai people.

There would then be a formal blessing of the King, made in Pali and in Thai.

Afterwards the King would be presented with the royal regalia, the symbol of being the Raja Thipbodi. The five royal possessions - called Benja Rajakakutphand - consisted of the Phra Maha Pichai Mongkut or the Royal Crown, the Phra Saeng Khan Chaisri or Royal Sword, Tharn Phra Korn or the Royal Cane, Valvijnee or the Royal Fan, and Chalong Phra Baat Choen Ngon or the Royal Arched Footwear.

At the End of the Ceremony the King would appear with the Queen and proceed to make merit according to Buddhist tradition.

He would pay respect to the ashes of the previous kings and queens.

The King would also proceed to the bedroom of the Chakraphat Phiman Throne Hall, built during the reign of King Rama I.

The Royal Accession Ceremony would be completed with a grand tour of Bangkok in order to provide a chance for the Thai people to see their King. The King would also pay respect and worship the Buddha statues at the major temples.